Valvaminor endoleuca Druce, 1905

Cock, Matthew J. W. & Laguerre, Michel, 2022, Taxonomic changes in the Neotropical wasp moths, Euchromiina and Ctenuchina (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini) relating to the fauna of Trinidad & Tobago, with descriptions of new species, Zootaxa 5222 (2), pp. 101-132 : 115-117

Valvaminor endoleuca Druce, 1905 new combination

Figs. 21–24 .

Druce (1905) described this species in the genus Mesothen from Caura Valley, Venezuela, based on an unspecified number of males and females. Hampson (1914) specified that the NHMUK held one male and one female, and illustrated the male ( Hampson 1915), which is curated as the ‘type’. Fleming (1957) recorded six males and five females from Simla, Trinidad, which should now be in AMNH. We identified additional Trinidad material ( Figs 21 , 22 ) by comparison with the type.

The type material has not been dissected, but we dissected a Trinidad male ( Fig. 24 ). The genitalia are clearly of the type found in Valvaminor rather than Mesothen ( Cerda 2008, 2020a), showing a downturned bifurcate uncus, pointed asymmetrical dorsolateral projections, and short deeply divided valves placed ventro-laterally. We therefore place Mesothen endoleuca in the new combination Valvaminor endoleuca ( Druce, 1905) .

Material examined: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, Trinidad. 1♁ Curepe, MVL, 11–20.ii.1982 (M.J.W. Cock) [ MJWC; dissection 1118]. 1 ♁, 2♀ Parrylands Oilfield , to Heliotropium , 25.vii.1981 (M.J.W. Cock) [ MJWC] . 1♀ St. Ann’s (labelled M. desperata ) [ NHMUK] . VENEZUELA. 1♁, 1♀ Caura Valley (type series) [ NMHUK]

Figures

FIGURE 21. Male Valvaminor endoleuca, Trinidad, Parrylands Oilfield, to Heliotropium, 25.vii.1981 (M.J.W. Cock) [MJWC]

FIGURE 22. Female Valvaminor endoleuca, Trinidad, Parrylands Oilfield, to Heliotropium, 25.vii.1981 (M.J.W. Cock) [MJWC]

FIGURE 23. Details of body of male Valvaminor endoleuca (MJWC dissection 1118).

FIGURE 24. Male genitalia and abdomen of Valvaminor endoleuca (MJWC dissection 118). A–F, genitalia with aedeagus removed: A, dorsal view; B, ventral view; C, posterior view; D, ventrolateral view; E, lateral view from right; F, lateral view from left. G, abdominal segment 8 tergite. H, abdomen, ventral view. I–K aedeagus: I, lateral view from left; J, ventral view; K, lateral view from right.